Empire State Diagnostic Worksheet
Grade 3 & 4 SS Diagnostic Part 1 of 3
Empire State Memory Check
Reviewing Grade 3 World Communities & Mapping Skills
Name:
Date:
Score:
Directions: Bubble in the single best answer for Questions 1–6, then complete the short response in Section C.
SECTION A
Geographic Tools & Global Systems
1. What imaginary line circles Earth halfway between the North and South Poles?
A Prime Meridian B Equator C Arctic Circle D International Date Line
2. Which map tool explains what symbols, colors, and patterns represent?
A Map legend or key B Compass rose C Map scale D Grid coordinates
3. New York State and North America are located in which hemispheres?
A Southern and Eastern B Northern and Eastern C Northern and Western D Southern and Western
4. Which of the following is a renewable natural resource used by world communities?
A Coal B Petroleum oil C Timber / Forest trees D Natural gas
SECTION B
World Communities & Cultural Adaptation
5. How do physical environments directly influence how people in different world communities live?
A Climate shapes clothing and shelter materials B All communities build identical homes C Landforms have zero effect on available food D Communities only trade within five miles
6. When nations buy goods and services from other countries that they cannot produce easily themselves, this is called:
A Isolationism B Global interdependence & trade C Direct democracy D Urban zoning
SECTION C
Written Response: Geographic Impact
Prompt: Choose one geographic feature (such as a river, mountain range, or desert). Explain two ways this feature impacts how a community gets food, builds shelters, or travels.
NY State Social Studies Standards • Grade 3 Diagnostic Check Page 1 of 3
Grade 3 World Geography Part 2 of 3
Exploring the Seven Continents
Global Landmasses, Hemispheres & Key Geographic Features
Continents Checkpoint
Directions: Answer Questions 7–12 about the world's 7 continents, then complete the continental comparison in Section C.
SECTION A
Continental Features & Regions
7. Which continent is the largest in both land area and total human population?
A Asia B Europe C North America D Australia
8. The Sahara Desert and the Nile River are major physical features on which continent?
A South America B Africa C Australia D Europe
9. The Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountain Range are located on which continent?
A South America B North America C Antarctica D Europe
10. Which frozen continent surrounds the South Pole and has no permanent human towns?
A Greenland B Antarctica C Australia D Asia
SECTION B
Global Locations & Water Boundaries
11. Which continent is completely surrounded by water and is also an entire single country?
A Australia B Africa C Europe D South America
12. Which ocean separates the continents of North America and Europe?
A Indian Ocean B Atlantic Ocean C Pacific Ocean D Southern Ocean
SECTION C
Continental Comparison Response
Prompt: Choose two different continents (e.g., Africa, Antarctica, Asia, or South America). Compare their climates or landforms, and explain how people adapt to living or working there.
NY State Social Studies Standards • Grade 3 World Geography Check Page 2 of 3
Grade 4 NY Growth & Civics Part 3 of 3
Revolution, Growth & Government
The Turning Point, Erie Canal Expansion, and New York State Government
Diagnostic Checkpoint
Directions: Answer Questions 13–18 regarding the Revolution, Canal, and Civics, then complete Section C.
SECTION A
American Revolution & Economic Expansion
13. Why was the Battle of Saratoga (1777) called the "Turning Point" of the Revolution?
A It ended the entire war in one afternoon B It convinced France to join as America's ally C George Washington signed the Constitution D The Erie Canal was built across the field
14. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Hudson River at Albany with:
A Lake Erie (Buffalo) B The Pacific Ocean C The Mississippi River delta D The Chesapeake Bay
15. What major effect did the Erie Canal have on New York City's economy?
A It made shipping goods slower and costlier B NYC became the premier national trade hub C Farming stopped completely across the state D All railroads went out of business
16. Millions of immigrants entering the United States through NY Harbor processed at:
A Ellis Island B Angel Island C Niagara Falls D Long Island Sound
SECTION B
New York State Government & Citizenship
17. Where is the capital of New York State located, where state laws are passed?
A New York City B Albany C Syracuse D Buffalo
18. Who serves as the head of the Executive Branch of New York State government?
A The President B The Governor C The Mayor D The Chief Justice
SECTION C
State Reflection & Connection
Prompt: Why is New York often called the "Empire State"? Explain how either transportation (such as the Erie Canal) or immigration helped New York grow into a powerful center of culture and trade.
NY State Social Studies Standards • Grade 4 NY Growth & Civics Check Page 3 of 3
